As 2024 winds down, it’s the perfect time for group dental practices to start thinking ahead. What worked this year? What didn’t? And what changes can you make to ensure that 2025 is your most successful year yet? Planning for the year ahead isn’t just about making a list of goals—it’s about setting a strategic direction that aligns with your practice’s vision, supports your team, and, most importantly, enhances patient care.
From financial targets and staffing needs to technology upgrades and patient engagement strategies, here’s everything you need to consider to set your goals and prepare your group practice for success in 2025.
1. Define Clear Goals for Growth and Profitability
Before you dive into the specifics, it’s essential to take a step back and think about your big-picture goals. Are you looking to expand your practice, add more specialties, or improve patient retention? Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals will help you zero in on what really matters and ensure you have a clear roadmap.
- Data Analysis: Building a data-driven DSO starts with leadership. If practice leaders take an interest in the data, the rest of the organization is more inclined to follow suit. It’s a huge task, but a data review is an ideal place to start new year planning. How did your practice perform this year? Consider costs related to operations, marketing, and technology investments. Analyze important metrics and identify areas for improvement.
- Growth Goals: Many DSOs grow their Earnings Before Interest Taxes Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) through acquisition, but there’s plenty of opportunity to grow organically as well. Whether you plan to add new locations, increase your patient base, or expand into new specialties, setting growth goals will keep your team focused.
- Establish KPIs: Think about where you want your practice to be by the end of 2025 and outline the steps you’ll take to get there. Then make note of relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure along the way to make sure you stay on track.
2. Reevaluate Your Staffing and Training Needs
 With your goals in mind, take a close look at your current team and evaluate whether you have the right resources to reach those targets. The dental industry continues to see shifts in workforce trends, with many practices struggling to find skilled dental professionals. Planning for 2025 means looking at both your current staffing levels and potential hiring needs.
- Evaluate Staff Roles: Identify any skill gaps or areas where your team could benefit from additional support. You may need to hire new team members, or you might find that current employees would benefit from training in specific areas like patient communication or the latest dental technologies.
- Invest in Training and Development: Keeping your team up-to-date on the latest best practices in dentistry and patient management is essential for delivering excellent care. Consider allocating part of your budget to continuing education, workshops, or certifications.
- Plan for Growth: If you do choose to grow via acquisition, can you get new staff up and running quickly? Scalability often depends on your staff and their ability to retain existing patients in the midst of a management shift. The more standardized policies, training and software they receive, the easier it is.
3. Focus on Patient Experience and Engagement
 In 2025, patient expectations for convenience, personalization, and communication will only continue to grow. Prioritizing the patient experience can help your practice retain more patients and attract new ones through positive word of mouth.
- Patient Feedback and Surveys: Use feedback to identify areas for improvement. Patient surveys, either digital or in-person, can reveal valuable insights about what your practice is doing well and where you have room to improve.
- Enhance Communication and Accessibility: Implementing automated reminders, follow-up messages, and real-time communication options can improve the patient experience significantly. Patients are more likely to stay engaged and show up for their appointments when communication is clear and convenient.
- Personalized Care Plans: Consider ways to make care more tailored to each patient. Customizing treatment plans and follow-ups based on patient preferences or past treatments can help them feel valued and understood.
- Case Acceptance: New patients are a necessity, but current patients spend more, trust you more, and refer more patients to your practice. Take special care to watch your case acceptance metric and experiment with strategies for increasing it in 2025.
4. Embrace Technology to Improve Efficiency
Investing in technology can feel like a big leap, but it’s one that can pay off tremendously in both the short and long term. If you haven’t yet invested in digital solutions for patient management, scheduling, billing, or communications, 2025 is a great time to consider the idea.
- Practice Management Software: A robust practice management system that integrates scheduling, patient records, billing, and communication in one platform can save time and reduce errors. By automating routine tasks, your team can spend more time focusing on patient care.
- Patient Communication Tools: Look for software that enhances communication through automated reminders, real-time messaging, and digital patient portals. These features improve the patient experience and reduce missed appointments.
- Data Analytics: Data analytics tools help practices track performance, spot trends, and make informed decisions. For example, by analyzing patient data, you can determine which services are most popular or identify peak appointment times, allowing you to adjust staffing and resources accordingly. You can also operate a primary dashboard that shows data from all locations in one to track overall performance.
5. Develop a Marketing Plan to Attract New Patients
 Even the best dental practices need a consistent influx of new patients to continue growing. Marketing in the dental field is all about building trust. Use both online and offline methods to establish your practice as a dependable, patient-centered provider. In 2025, your marketing efforts should focus on both traditional and digital strategies to reach a broad audience.
- Digital Marketing: Many patients begin their search for a new dentist online, so maintaining a strong digital presence is crucial. Invest in a user-friendly website, regularly update your social media channels, and consider running online ads.
- Local Community Engagement: For group practices, local outreach can be incredibly effective. Sponsor community events, offer free dental check-up days, or partner with local businesses to increase your visibility and build community relationships.
- Referrals and Patient Loyalty Programs: Encourage happy patients to refer friends and family to your practice. Consider implementing a referral program that rewards existing patients for bringing in new clients. This not only builds loyalty but also attracts new patients.
- Accessibility: Make 2025 your year of diversity and inclusion to create a more welcoming space for new patients. Offer patient portals and follow-up treatments in languages other than English. You can also run an accessibility audit on your website or in-person services to ensure you’re providing tools for varying patient populations. Inclusion is a feel-good form of marketing we can all get behind!
6. Plan for Financial Sustainability and Flexibility
 Given economic uncertainties, financial sustainability is key to staying adaptable. Evaluate your financials and make sure you have contingency plans in place to handle unexpected expenses or downturns.
- Review and Adjust Fees: Ensure your fee structure is competitive but also aligned with the level of service and care you provide. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your fees helps ensure you’re covering costs while staying affordable for patients.
- Flexible Payment Options: Offer flexible payment plans, financing, or even discounts for patients who may be financially constrained. Making dental care accessible helps retain patients and builds goodwill.
- Emergency Funds: Consider setting aside funds or having access to a line of credit for emergency situations. Having a financial cushion can help your practice weather unexpected events, such as equipment repairs or staffing needs.
Looking Ahead: Embrace Change and Foster a Growth Mindset
 As you plan for 2025, keep in mind that adaptability is essential for continued success. The dental industry is evolving, and patient expectations are changing rapidly. A willingness to innovate, invest in your team, and enhance the patient experience will position your practice as a leader in the field.
Strategic planning is the foundation for a successful year, and dental software can be a critical part of your strategy. Oryx’s all-in-one dental software solutions are designed to simplify practice management, improve patient communication, and enhance operational efficiency. With features tailored to the unique needs of group practices, Oryx can help you reach your goals for growth, patient engagement, and financial sustainability in 2025.
Take the next step in planning for success. Contact Oryx today to see how our team of experts can help make 2025 your best year yet!
